Police arrest 3 for drive-by shooting

Jose Ortiz

The investigation into a drive-by shooting led to the arrest of three men Thursday on charges related to the shooting and multiple narcotic offenses, the Turlock Police Department reported.

The investigation was initiated after a drive-by shooting was reported on June 23 in the 600 block of Birchwood Way in Turlock. On Wednesday detectives, along with the Special Weapons and Tactics Team, served two search warrants in connection with the investigation.

The first search warrant was served at approximately 7:20 a.m. in the 1100 block of Alamaden, in Modesto. At the residence Leonardo Ortiz, 20, and Jose Ortiz, 22, both of Patterson, were arrested on charges stemming from the shooting, said Turlock Police spokesperson Officer Mayra Lewis.

The second search warrant was served at approximately 4 p.m. in the 600 block of Pine Creek Dr., in Patterson. During the search of the Patterson home, investigators recovered two stolen firearms, marijuana, evidence of marijuana sales and cultivation and approximately $2,000 in cash, Lewis said.

An additional two pounds of marijuana were located in Leonardo Ortiz’ vehicle, Lewis said.

Leonardo Ortiz and Jose Ortiz were booked at the Stanislaus County Jail for discharging a firearm in a gross and negligent manner stemming from the original drive-by shooting, sales and cultivation of marijuana and possession of stolen property as a result of the search warrant.

The third suspect in the drive-by shooting, Juan Carlos Alvarez, 32, of Turlock was arrested Thursday morning in downtown Modesto by Turlock Police Department investigators. He was also booked on a charge of discharging a firearm in a gross and negligent manner.

Anyone with information regarding the suspects is urged to contact Detective Tim Redd at 664-7325.